Because it's mainly used by kids, but it has a 17+ rating
https://support.discord.com/hc/en-u...cent-Update-Apple-App-Store-Age-Rating-Change
So the dmg is a way of avoiding parental restrictions on macOS.
Check the downloaded dmg on
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
Not sure what dmg means exactly, but the link makes sense! thanks.
I have to admit that I find the OP question a bit strange.
It's as if they only ever used IOS, where all apps do indeed come from the App Store.
On any traditional computer (macOS, Windows), most apps are downloaded outside the Windows/Mac store.
Am i wrong?
You kinda are leonremi! Check my join date, lol
I'm just comparatively more security-conscious, while also at the same time not being interested in tinkering with a system or trying on a ton of new tools. I just want stuff to work straight from the gate & then to get out of my way, w/ as little investment as possible on my part in time & thinking, whether upfront or for maintenance, while still maintaining the highest possible degree of security (which tbh is itself in part bc I really can't be bothered w/ tinkering & fixing, I just kinda conceptualise good security as part of basic performance).
No idea about discord app, but quite a few developers choose not to distribute their apps in the App Store due to not wanting to lose a noticeable percentage of revenue to Apple, and/or wanting to have their app functioning (still legitimately) outside of Apple imposed sandbox limitations.
If installing apps from outside the App Store then make sure you download them from the developer’s official website.
There are many great apps only available outside of the App Store.
I'll keep that in mind about the official website! It's looking much less likely that I'll DL discord on desktop now, but still good to know for future reference.
The App Store is pretty annoying. Tons of stuff just seems low-quality AF, & I'd love some more powerful tools to separate the wheat from the chaff. I hardly ever find apps by browsing it, mostly I just research & come looking for something specific.
If you're concerned about security, it's probably best to only use the browser-based service. An additional step you could take is to use multiple browsers on your computer. Download a second widely-used browser (for example, if you're a Safari user, install Firefox) and reserve one of your browsers for use with frequently visited, trusted websites only. That way potentially insecure websites can be isolated from more sensitive browsing.
Personally, I only use the browser version of Zoom for security reasons. If you're interested in details, it's easy to find lots of information about the Zoom client's flaws using any search website. If I faced a situation similar to yours, I would only install Discord as a last resort for both security and personal reasons.
MacRumors restricts political discussions, so I encourage you to use a search engine to find out more about Discord's user base, the type of content that is hosted on Discord in addition to its original focus on gamers, and its role in current events.
That first § is a really great idea, honestly, & somehow it's one I've never come across before in 'how to improve security' sorts of guides. So, thanks.
Yeah I'd heard of the problems with Zoom, back at the start of the pandemic. I don't bother with it unless someone specifically requests it & I feel like the person is worth talking to lol.
As to your last pt, I believe I know what you are alluding to. Part of what has made me grow more security conscious is that I follow some of the related current affairs issues.
Self-hosted app downloads are normal, have been normal since before App Stores started existing (how else would people get their apps), and App Stores have plenty of drawbacks for devs like fees and restrictions.
Yes, I've heard of the objections about fees & restrictions, but admit I thought this was of greater concern to small, indie developers due to a programmer friend's experience.
It's not necessarily a red flag that it's not on the App Store. Google Chrome is the most used browser (last time I checked) and you can't install it on your Mac from the App Store.
Wow, did not realise this! So yeah, good to know and makes a lot of sense.
I'm not making any assumptions about the OP's age or experience, but I'd like to share my experience.
I teach physics at a University and many of the new students I encounter have never owned a computer before. They've used computers set up by their school, but never had to actually buy and set one up themselves before. Growing up in the 2010's means that an iPhone and iPad is all they've ever needed and used. Even simple tasks live saving a file on a local file system is alien for many of them (as aposed to things like Google Drive or iCloud). Now, imagine trying to teach command line tools and Python programing along side physics under these circumstances...
Wow, that's wild! There is so much creative stuff you can do with a real laptop that I don't think you can do with an iPad, though, these kids have been missing out!
No, there's nothing wrong with it.
thanks!
Sticking to apps from the App Store isn't a bad thing. It's a security measure. It's not always possible of course. I have Discord on my Mac, but for some reason I think it's a shady app. Not sure why, it just has this vibe.
Lol, I think I know what you mean, & I think it might be close to what KaliYoni says above! And yeah, I'm like: I don't want any darn trouble! I just want to get stuff done, & go home. (lol, figuratively)
It's an Electron app and they never really feel right to me. It's basically just a stripped down version of Chrome stuck on a single domain.
I think I understood the pronouns & prepositions in this! lol
@roisin and mac On my Mac I usually just use the browser version of Discord (discord.com/channels). It loads faster than the app, which boots up a whole instance of Chromium each time, and has 95% of the app’s functionality, with the exception of some hiccups with things like screen sharing in calls.
This is good to know, about loading faster! This pretty much decides it for me, the last missing bit - I'm sticking with the browser version. On the bright side the phone app seems weirdly more user-friendly than the slack one (they had slack before), so I should be fine.
Thanks all! It's nice to see this forum still ticking along & giving so much good & relevant info.
